North-Dakota has a shall-issue policy for Concealed Weapon Licenses, CWL, in the state.

The attorney general of the state is in charge of issuing the permit. 

The law enforcement agency has the discretion to either reject or accept for people that are in danger of harming themselves with a firearm.

In North Dakota, you do not need a purchase permit to buy a gun. However, you must still meet all other requirements.

North Dakota Gun Laws

With Concealed Weapon Licenses, you can conceal carry in North Dakota.

North Dakota CCW permit is only issued to residents of the state, and members of the military posted to the state.

There are two types of CCW permits in North Dakota, the class one CWL and the class two CWL.

Both permits hold the same value.

But people who hold class one license can use it to conceal carry in more states than with a class two license.  

In the same vein, there are no differences in the requirements to apply for either permit, except additional firearm training.

Members of the military stationed in North Dakota and requiring a concealed weapon license must first provide a CCW permit from their state of residence.

New Dakota CCW Permit Reciprocity

New Dakota has reciprocity with other states that honors its CCW permit.

So, as a non-resident willing to conceal carry in New Dakota, you must have an issued permit from states they reciprocate.

Other aspects of CCW permit reciprocity in New Dakota includes the following:

  • States that New Dakota will accept their CCW permits: You can conceal carry in North Dakota with CCW permits from these states. However, residents from Tennessee require an enhanced license before they can conceal carry in New Dakota. There are thirty-eight of them.
  • States that will accept New Dakota CCW permit: As a resident of New Dakota, you can conceal without your permit in this state. There are three of them with exception to Oklahoma. Where you can conceal carry with just a means of identification from New Dakota, such as a state-issued driver’s license or a state ID card.
  • States that have restricted reciprocity with New Dakota: You can only conceal carry with a class one issued concealed weapon license from New Dakota. Some of these states also require that you meet the age limit set for concealed carry before you can possess your weapon within their territory. There are Twenty-two of them.
  • States that have permitless carry policy: You do not need a concealed carry permit to possess your weapon in these states, as long as you meet the required age, and you respect location restrictions. There are fourteen of them.

Make sure you are familiar with a state gun law and how it requires you to handle firearms before concealed carry in such states.

Location Restrictions In North Dakota

Regardless of the type of North Dakota concealed weapon license you have, there are some places in the state where you are not allowed to conceal carry.

The only exception to this law is if you are a law enforcement officer or a peace officer.

Places Where You Cannot Conceal Carry In North Dakota

  • You are not allowed to conceal carry during professional sporting events.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in churches or during church events, except you have permission from those in charge.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in buildings and venues meant for public operations.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in Capitol grounds and their buildings.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in places used for the production and consumption of alcoholic liquids.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in any place if you are under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in bingo gaming sites.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in state game refuges and Wildlife Management Areas.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in places where federal laws of the state prohibit the possession of firearms.

Places Where You Can Conceal Carry In North Dakota

In North Dakota, there are no state restrictions that prohibit you from the possession of firearms in these places of situations:

  • Bars and Restaurants: You can conceal carry in the restaurant area of such a venture, except there is a post that limits the possession of firearms in these places. However, you are not allowed to be with a gun in bar areas.
  • Private vehicles: You can conceal carry in your private car except you are a non-resident of the state in which case you need a permit from a state that North Dakota reciprocates before you can conceal carry.
  • Road areas: You can conceal carry along roadsides and rest areas.
  • Forests and Parks: You can conceal carry in state and national forests and parks.

Concealed Carry For Law Enforcement Officers In North Dakota

USA Law Enforcement Officers Safety Acts allows officers of the law to conceal carry in any part of the country without any form of location restriction or limitation by state or municipality laws.

LEOSA covers active, out of service and retired officers in every state, and they must meet all the requirements before they can conceal carry.

In North Dakota, only certified weapon instructors can conduct the LEOSA qualification training for retired law enforcement officers.

These retired officers must contact any agency to get in contact with a firearm instructor.  

Having met all the requirements of LEOSA, they will receive a letter and provide the necessary documents to the board office.

Only retired officers that complete this process are allowed to conceal carry in the state.

Buying And Selling Of Firearms In North Dakota.

Before buying, selling, possessing, transporting, or transferring firearms in New Dakota, you must be familiar with the gun laws of the state.

Also, there are requirements and standard procedures for buying and selling firearms in North Dakota that you must know.

Purchase Permits And Handgun Registration In North Dakota

Unlike some states in the USA, you do not need purchase permits before you buy a firearm in North Dakota.

There are also no handgun registration procedures to complete the sales of firearms in the state.

Criminal Record Background Check In North Dakota

There are no NICS background checks for private sales of firearms in the state.

However, state and federally licensed sellers must complete a criminal background check for buyers before selling a firearm in North Dakota.

Also, other restrictions and requirements, according to the laws of the state, still apply.  

Note that it is essential for you to keep your sales receipt in case you have to prove ownership of your gun.

However, if you have a North Dakota concealed weapon license, you do not have to undergo a background check before buying a firearm.

Age Requirement For The Possession Of Firearm In North Dakota

You must be at least eighteen years old before you can possess or transport a firearm in the state.

An underage can only possess a firearm under the supervision of someone that can legally possess or for purposes such as hunting, range shooting, and training.

Possession Of Firearms On Private Properties

You are allowed to possess a firearm without North Dakota CCW permits in your home of residence, place of work, or any property you rent or lease.

Castle Doctrine In New Dakota.

North Dakota’s self-defense law is based on the conventional castle doctrine policy in the state.

According to the law, when you are at home, place of work, in your vehicle, or any other place you are lawfully bided to be, you can use an appropriate deadly force.

The force must be essential to prevent unlawful acts like robbery, burglary, or any other violent felony.

However, if you are outside these places and threatened with death or severe injury, you are not allowed to use a deadly force, and there is a duty to retreat and flee to safety.

If you follow the North Dakota castle doctrine policy accordingly, the state law will grant you immunity from civil liability.

North Dakota CCW Permit Requirements.

You must meet all New Dakota concealed carry permit requirements before you apply for the concealed weapon license.

The requirements include the following:

  • You must be at least eighteen years old before you apply for a class two license, and twenty-one years old before you apply for a class one license.
  • You must be a citizen or a legal permanent resident of the United States.
  • You must not be illegally unable to possess a firearm or any other CCW.
  • You must be a resident of North Dakota or a member of the military posted to the state.
  • You must complete a North Carolina concealed carry permit class for firearm training, according to the requirements of the state.
  • You must not have a court order prohibiting you from the possession of firearms.
  • You must pass the criminal background check conducted by the FBI.
  • You must not be a convict of a felony.
  • You must not be a convict to any crime that is violent related.
  • You must not be a convict for any crime that has to do with the use of alcohol for ten years before New Dakota concealed carry permit application.
  • You must not be a convict for any misdemeanor charge that has to do with the use of drugs or any substance controlled by The Drug Enforcement Agency, for ten years before application.
  • You must not be a convict for any domestic assault violence.
  • You must not be mentally impaired according to any court, except you have a canceled verdict.
  • You must meet all other federal law that has to so with CCW permit application.

How To Apply For CCW Permit In North Dakota

You can go ahead to apply for the New Dakota concealed weapon license if you meet all the requirements.

The application process includes the following:

Complete Firearm Training

Make sure that you complete a North Dakota concealed carry permit class before you proceed with the application.

Decide On Which Permit You Are Applying For

Decide if you want a class one permit or a class two permit. Note that you must meet the age requirement for the license you wish to apply for.

Download the permit, complete it, and either mail it or the testing site or you submit it physically.

Seat For Open Test

If you are applying for the first time, you have to sit for a test.

The test is an open-book test, and the questions are based on the Concealed Weapon License Manual.

Note that you must pass this test.

If you are a class one applicant, you will undergo further classroom teaching, have to demonstrate firearm familiarity, and complete a shooting test.

Submit Necessary Documents

After passing the test, you have one month to submit the required documents to the Bureau of Criminal Inspection.

The documents include the following:

  • A photocopy of your state-issued driver’s license or ID card.
  • Two copies of your colored passports.
  • Two fingerprints cards
  • A payment check.

You can also send the documents via mail.

Receive Notification

You will get mail to notify you of an approved or denied permit.

North Dakota Firearm Training Requirements

You must complete a recognized North Dakota firearm training conducted by a certified instructor in the state.

If you are a class one applicant, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Take part in a classroom training for CCW safety rules according to state laws of North Dakota.
  • Seat for the open-book test about CCW license.
  • Display your familiarity with firearms or any other CCW. You can do this through certification from a licensed instructor, taking part in a shooting competition in the event of training, providing license from other states, or proof of firearm training during military service.
  • Complete a live-fire session.

For class two applicants, the only requirement is to pass the open-book test.

Note that this test is the same as that for class one applicants, and every other test must be done in North Dakota, independent of testing from other states.

New Dakota Concealed Carry FAQs.

Some of the frequently asked questions about CCW in North Dakota include the following:

How Long Does A North Dakota CCW Permit Last?

The permit is valid for five years, after which you have to do a renewal?

When Can I Apply For North Dakota CCW Permit Renewal?

You can start the renewal application six months before the expiration of your CCW permit.

How Much Is North Dakota CCW Permit Application?

Application for CCW permit in North Dakota is sixty dollars.

How Long Will It Take Me To Get My CCW Permit In North Dakota?

The processing period for North Dakota CCW permit is sixty days.

Additional Resources

North Dakota Gun Laws
North Dakota Open Carry Laws
North Dakota Gun Permit Laws

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